Gps tracking system

ABSTRACT

An LED taillight with an integrated GPS tracking system is disclosed therein. The GPS tracking system is hidden behind the LED portion of the LED taillight so that the GPS tracking system is not noticeable by someone inspecting a trailer on which the LED taillight is installed. Additionally, power sent to the LED taillight to power the LEDs also recharge a battery associated with the GPS tracking system and power the GPS tracking system during use.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable

STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND

The various aspects described herein relate to a covert GPS trackingsystem associated with the rear taillight of the trailer.

There are a significant number of commercial trailers in the UnitedStates. The trailers are loaned and borrowed amongst a fleet of vehiclesand are parked at various locations within an area. Because of the sheervolume of commercial trailers in the United States, it is difficult tokeep track of the trailers. Moreover, since the commercial trailers arenot specifically associated or permanently coupled with any particularregistered vehicle, the trailers can be more easily stolen by a thief.

Accordingly, there is a need in the art for addressing certaindeficiencies in relation to the security and monitoring of commercialtrailers.

BRIEF SUMMARY

A LED (Light Emitting Diode) taillight with integrated GPS trackingsystem is disclosed herein. The LED taillight has a small package inrelation to its depth because the LED does not require a parabolicreflector behind the LED to redirect light that is directed backwards tothe front. Because the LED portion of the LED taillight does not take asignificant amount of space in relation to its depth, the GPS trackingsystem is attached to the back side of the LED layer. The GPS trackingsystem is used to track the vehicle to which the LED taillight withintegrated GPS tracking system is mounted to. The vehicle may be acommercial trailer, truck or any other vehicle that needs to be tracked.The LED taillight operates in the same manner as an incandescent reartaillight. Moreover, the power from the vehicle not only operates theLED taillight but also charges a rechargeable battery associated withthe GPS tracking system and operation of the GPS tracking system duringuse. Because the GPS tracking system is behind the LED and is notvisible from an external inspection of the vehicle and no equipment isexternally mounted to the vehicle or trailer so as to be visible bysomeone walking around the trailer vehicle, the LED taillight hides theGPS tracking system so that a thief does not know that the trailer hasthe GPS tracking system.

More particularly, a GPS tracking system for a truck and commercialtrailer is disclosed. The system may comprise a semitransparent red lampcover, a LED PCBA (Printed Circuit Board Assembly), GPS tracker PCBA,recharging circuit, rechargeable battery, and three pin connector. Thesemitransparent red lamp cover may be sized and configured to fit arubber grommet or a metallic or rigid mounting ring of an incandescent4″ round rear brake and turn light. The LED PCBA may be specificallydesigned to allow maximum reception and transmission of RF (RadioFrequency) em-waves (electromagnetic waves) used by the GPS tracker PCBAbehind it in order to guarantee the best performance of GPS receptionand cellular communication. The LEDs may be disposed immediatelyadjacent to the lamp cover on the LED PCBA so that light from the LEDsis transmitted through the lamp cover and projects a red light when theLEDs emit light. The electrical-conductive tracks may be formed on theLED PCBA for connecting the LEDs to power. The GPS tracker PCBA may havea GPS antenna mounted on it. The LEDs and the electrical-conductivetracks on the LED PCBA may be carefully designed to avoid overlapping orat least not significantly overlapping with the GPS antenna receptionarea so that the GPS performance could be guaranteed. The LEDs areconnected directly to the power inlet by the three pin connector so thatthe lamp function can work independently. The rechargeable battery isconnected to the three pin connector via a recharging circuit. The firstpin of the three pin connector may be electrically connectable to a taillight pin. The second pin of the three pin connector may be connectableto a brake light of the tail light pin so that the rechargeable batteryis recharged when a taillight is turned on or when the user is braking.

A material of the LED PCBA may be plastic, polyester or FR-4 epoxyglass.

The LEDs and the electrical-conductive tracks do not overlap the GPSantenna reception area.

In another aspect, a taillight for a truck trailer with an integratedGPS tracking system self-containable within a taillight socket of thetruck trailer is disclosed. The taillight may comprise a semitransparentred lamp cover, LED PCBA, GPS tracker PCBA, recharging circuit,rechargeable battery, and a three pin connector. The semitransparent redlamp cover may be sized and configured to fit a rubber mounting grommetor a metallic or rigid mounting ring of an incandescent rear brake andturn light. The LEDs may be disposed immediately adjacent to the lampcover so that light from the LEDs is transmitted through the lamp coverand projects a red light when the LEDs emit light. The LEDs areconnected directly to the power inlet by the three pin connector so thatthe lamp function can work independently. The rechargeable battery isconnected to the three pin connector via a recharging circuit. The firstpin of the three pin connector may be electrically connectable to a taillight pin. The second pin of the three pin connector may be connectableto a brake light of the tail light pin so that the rechargeable batteryis recharged when a taillight is turned on or when the user is braking.The taillight and the GPS tracking system may fit entirely within anexisting taillight socket for an incandescent light taillight of thetruck trailer and configured to fit a rubber mounting grommet ormetallic or rigid mounting ring of an incandescent rear brake and turnlight.

In another aspect, a trailer for a truck is disclosed. The trailer maycomprise the following components: a plurality of wheels and a platformwith the plurality of wheels attached to the platform; passenger sideand driver side rear light cavities; first and second rubber grommets ormetallic or rigid mounting rings disposed within the passenger side anddriver side rear light cavities; a covert GPS tracking system mounted toeither of the passenger side or driver side rear light cavities via thefirst or second rubber grommets or metallic or rigid mounting rings; arear tail and brake light mounted to the other one of the passenger sideor driver side rear light cavities via the other one of the first orsecond rubber mounting grommets or metallic or rigid mounting rings.

The covert GPS tracking system may include a semitransparent red lampcover sized and configured to fit a rubber mounting grommet or ametallic or rigid mounting ring of an incandescent rear brake and turnlight; light emitting diodes disposed immediately adjacent to the lampcover on a LED PCBA so that light from the LEDs is transmitted throughthe lamp cover and projects a red light when the LEDs emit light; TheLEDs are connected directly to the power inlet by the three pinconnector so that the lamp function can work independently; Therechargeable battery is connected to the three pin connector via arecharging circuit, the first pin electrically connectable to a taillight pin and the second pin connectable to a brake light of the taillight pin so that the rechargeable battery is recharged when a taillightis turned on or when the user is braking.

The rear tail and brake light may have an identical configurationcompared to the covert GPS tracking system mounted on the other side ofthe trailer so that the GPS tracking system can self-disguise as acommon taillight.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features and advantages of the various embodimentsdisclosed herein will be better understood with respect to the followingdescription and drawings, in which like numbers refer to like partsthroughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a back view of a trailer having an incandescent taillight;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the taillight shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the taillight removed from the trailer;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an LED taillight having a GPS trackingsystem integrated with the LED taillight electrically connected to thetrailer;

FIG. 5 is a back view of the trailer having the LED taillight withintegrated GPS tracking system;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the taillight shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a perspective cross-sectional view of the taillight shown inFIG. 6;

FIG. 8 illustrates an exploded perspective view of the LED taillightwith integrated GPS tracking system;

FIG. 9 illustrates a schematic diagram of the LED taillight and theintegrated GPS tracking system;

FIG. 10 illustrates software logic used to determine a state of the LEDtaillight and the GPS tracking system;

FIG. 11 illustrates software logic used to determine a reporting modefor the LED taillight and the GPS tracking system;

FIG. 12 illustrates software logic used to determine an alert status;and

FIG. 13 is a top view of the LED PCBA with the cellular modem antennaformed on the LED mounting layer and illustrating a position of the GPSantenna reception area.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings, a GPS tracking system 10 (see FIG. 6) maybe incorporated into a taillight 14 and installed on a trailer 12 (seeFIG. 1). The GPS tracking system 10 is not noticeable from an exteriorinspection of the trailer 12. Accordingly, when a thief wants to stealthe trailer 12, the thief would not know about the GPS tracking system.The GPS tracking system 10 transmits position information (e.g.geographical coordinates) to a server so that an owner of the trailer 12can locate the trailer 12 if it has been stolen or to find out thelocation of the trailer for one reason or another. In this regard, theGPS tracking system 10 includes a global positioning system and areceiver which receives signals from satellites regarding longitude,latitude and time information. The GPS tracking system 10 may alsoinclude a cellular modem for transmitting the current location of thetrailer (i.e. GPS tracking system 10) to the server when the location ofthe trailer is needed. Additionally, the electronics of the GPS trackingsystem 10 is powered by a rechargeable battery. The taillight 14receives power or electricity when the running lights of the truck areon, when the brake lights are activated and also when the side blinkersare activated. The electricity or power supply to the taillight 14 alsocharges the battery 38 (See FIG. 6) throughout the day and night duringuse of the trailer. During long distance drives when the truck isoperational during nighttime, the battery 38 is recharged because therunning lights of the truck are lit up. During short distance drivessuch as during the day, the battery 38 is recharged because the brakelights are frequently activated while driving even if the running lightsof the truck are not on. The activation of the brake lights also chargethe battery 38 during nighttime driving but the battery 38 is beingprimarily recharged because external lights of the truck are lit on.Moreover, because the GPS tracking system 10 is incorporated into asafety feature of the truck, namely, the taillight 14, a thief cannotmerely break the GPS tracking system 10 because doing so would also makethe taillight 14 inoperable and cause a police officer to pull the truckover for a broken taillight and catch the thief.

More particularly, referring now to FIGS. 1-7, an installation of thetaillight 14 incorporating the GPS tracking system 10 is shown. The oldtaillight 16 is shown in FIG. 1. The old taillight 16 may be receivedinto a taillight socket 18 (see FIG. 2) of the trailer 12. The socket 18has a depth 20 that is sufficient to receive the incandescent bulb 22and the parabolic reflector 24 that redirects light directed backwardsthrough the red translucent cover 26 of the taillight 16. In order toinstall the new taillight 14 on the trailer 12 (see FIG. 5), a rubbermounting grommet 28 (see FIG. 2) mounted to the inner periphery 30 of anopening of the socket 18 is removed from the socket 18. Additionally,the old taillight 16 is removed from the rubber mounting grommet 28.

With the rubber mounting grommet 28 removed from the opening 32 of thesocket 18 and the old taillight 16 removed from the rubber mountinggrommet 28, the old taillight 16 is disconnected from an electricalsystem of the trailer 12 powered by the truck. In particular, a wireloom 34 is removed from a pigtail connector 36 (see FIG. 3). Referringnow to FIG. 4, the new taillight 14 is connected to the electricalsystem of the trailer 12 by connecting the wire loom 34 into the pigtailconnector 36 of the new taillight 14. The taillight 14 may have any typeof pigtail connector known in the art and are developed in the future aswell as the wire loom 34. However, if the existing wire loom 34 on thetrailer 12 is different from the pigtail connector 36 of the newtaillight 14, the wires 38 of the wire loom 34 may be cut and acorresponding wire loom 34 to the pigtail connector 36 of the newtaillight 14 may be spliced into the electrical system of the trailer12. The new taillight 14 in relation to the red light emitting from thetaillight 14 operates the same as the old taillight 16 when the runninglights are on, turn lights are on or the brake lights are turned on.When the new taillight 14 is powered, the power also recharges therechargeable battery 38 used to power the GPS tracking system 10 of thenew taillight 14.

Referring now to FIG. 5, the new taillight 14 may be mounted to thesocket 18 of the trailer 12 by utilizing the existing rubber mountinggrommet 28 or alternatively as shown in FIG. 5, a metallic or rigidmounting ring 40 may be utilized in order to more securely attach thenew taillight 14 to the socket 18.

Preferably, the existing rubber mounting grommet 28 is utilized in orderto secure the taillight 14 to the trailer 12. This helps the taillight14 to blend in with the trailer 12 and mitigates a thief fromidentifying the taillight 14 as a unique item or one where the GPStracking system 10 may be located so that the thief could try to disablethe GPS tracking system 10. However, it is also contemplated that themounting ring 40 may also be utilized and yet still allow the taillight14 to be unnoticeable to a thief. If the mounting ring 40 is utilized tomount the taillight 14 to the trailer 12, then all of the taillights maybe replaced and the mounting ring 40 utilized to mount the taillights sothat there is a level of uniformity amongst all of the taillights on thetrailer.

Referring now to FIG. 6, the taillight 14 may have a light emittingdiode light source 42. Behind the light emitting diode light source, thetaillight 14 may also have GPS tracking system 10. The LEDs of the LEDlight source 42 may be mounted to an opaque board 46. The LEDs may bevisible from the exterior side of the taillight 14 but the electronicsincluding but not limited to the GPS tracking system 10 is not visiblefrom the exterior side of the taillight 14 so that the GPS trackingsystem 10 is not noticeable to a thief or an observer from the outsideby one walking around the trailer 12. A thickness 48 of the taillight 14as measured from an interior side of the socket 18 to a proximal end 50of the taillight 14 may be less than a depth 20 from the interior sideof the socket 18 to a far surface 52 of the socket 18. In this way, theLEDs being of a flat configuration which does not require a parabolicreflector as in the incandescent light bulb 22 taillight 16, providesadditional space in the socket 18 for the GPS tracking system 10.

Referring now to FIG. 7, a perspective cross-sectional view of thetaillight 14 installed in the socket 18 of the trailer 12 is shown.

The trailer 12 may have one or two left taillights and one or two righttaillights. The taillight 14 may be installed at one or all of the lefttaillights and/or one or all of the right taillights of the trailer 12.The GPS tracker PCBA 58 (see FIG. 3) is behind the LED PCBA 56, so if athief wants to disable the GPS tracking system by smashing the devicethe LEDs will also be damaged. In this manner, if the thief disables theGPS tracking system 10 in order to steal the trailer 12, the lightingfunction of the taillight will malfunction and a police officer willstop the trailer for a broken taillight.

Referring now to FIG. 8, the taillight 14 may include the LEDs, GPStracking system 10 and a cellular modem housed within a standard roundfour (4) inch LED stop/turn/tail light use by heavy trucks and trailers.The taillight 14 may have a lens cover 54. The lens cover 54 may be atranslucent red color so that when the LEDs are illuminated, thetaillight 14 emits a red light. Additionally, the lens cover 54 may betransparent to radio frequency electromagnetic waves in order toguarantee a good reception of GPS signals from GPS satellites to a GPSantenna 68. Preferably, the lens cover 54 is circular and matches thelens cover of the old taillight 16 in order to blend in with the oldtaillights 16. Immediately behind the lens cover 54 may be a LED PCBA 56which may contain the LEDs 42 that illuminates the taillight 14.

The LED PCBA 56 is shown in FIG. 13. The LED PCBA 56 may be fabricatedfrom a material typical of a printed circuit board. By way of exampleand not limitation, the material of the LED PCBA 56 may be plastic,polyester, FR-4 glass epoxy or other materials that are known in the artor developed in the future so long as the material is transparent toradiofrequency electromagnetic waves. The transparency of the LED PCBA56 to radiofrequency electromagnetic waves is so that the antenna 68 forreceiving GPS signals and also for transmitting a cellular signal fromthe cellular antenna 72. The antenna 72 of the cellular modem may beformed on the LED PCBA top layer 56 as shown in FIG. 13 for the purposesof physically positioning the cellular antenna 72 as close to a plane ofthe opening 32 (see FIG. 3) of the taillight socket 18 and preferably onthe outside of the plane of the opening 32 of the taillight socket 18.

Behind the LED PCBA 56, a GPS tracker PCBA 58 (see FIG. 8) may belocated and comprise the GPS tracking system 10. The GPS tracker PCBA 58may be one or more printed circuit boards stacked upon each other, orplaced side-by-side with each other. The GPS tracker PCBA 58 may beutilized to mount the GPS antenna 68. The GPS antenna 68 may be aceramic patch antenna 68. The antenna 68 is positioned behind the LEDPCBA 56 so that the LEDs 42 do not overlap the antenna 68. Moreover, thecopper tracks 150 do not overlap the antenna 68. Although it is shownand described that the LEDs 42 and the copper tracks 150 (see FIG. 13)on the LED PCBA 56 does not overlap the GPS antenna 68, it is alsocontemplated that the LEDs 42 and the copper tracks 150 may overlap andcover less than 50% or less, and more preferably less than 5% of thesurface area of the antenna 68, if there is an overlap. The position ofthe antenna 68 on the PCBA layer in relation to the LEDs 42 and thecopper tracks 150 on the LED mounting layer 56 may be adjusted so thatthe GPS antenna can have optimum reception of GPS signals.

The battery 38 may be located behind the GPS tracker PCBA 58 and beaccessible by way of a battery cover 60 that has a weather seal 62 thatinterfaces with a housing 54 of the taillight 14 so that water and dustdoes not get into the housing 64 of the taillight 14 and disruptoperation of the taillight 14. The pigtail connector 36 may be securedto the housing 64 and may provide electrical communication to theelectronics of the taillight 14.

The GPS tracker PCBA 58 (see FIG. 9) may include the GPS module 66 and aGPS antenna 68 which may be responsible for obtaining and processing thesignals received from the orbiting GPS satellites. The output of the GPSmodule 66 and the GPS antenna 68 may be the latitude and longitude,speed, direction and time stamp for the current location of thetaillight 14. The GPS tracker PCBA 58 may also include the cellularmodem 70 and the cellular antenna 72 which may be connected to, andcommunicate on the cellular spectrum as broadcast from the cellulartowers as placed by the various telecommunications providers. The GPStracker PCBA 58 may also include a SIM card 74 which may contain aprofile and configuration for a telecommunications provider provisioninga cellular service used by the cellular modem 70.

The GPS tracker PCBA 58 may also include a microcontroller module 76(see FIG. 9) which may control the functioning, operation and data flowin the GPS tracking system 10. Firmware may reside in themicrocontroller module 76 and instruct, interact and control the variouscomponents on the GPS tracker PCBA 58 and may ensure that the GPStracking system 10 operates in the manner intended. A motion sensor 78may be connected to the microcontroller 76. The motion sensor 78 may bea microchip containing movement sensors for at least one linear axis,and preferably all three linear axes. The motion sensor 78 may provideinput to the microcontroller 76 whenever it 78 senses motion along anyone of the three axes. The GPS tracker PCBA 58 may also include a flashmemory module 80 which may provide dynamic memory storage for themicrocontroller 76 to store working data, session parameters, sessionhistory, status of the other modules and received location data from theGPS module 66 if the cellular modem 70 is not able to connect to acellular network.

The GPS tracker PCBA 58 (see FIG. 9) may also include a power managementmodule 82 which may control the energy used by the GPS tracking system10. The power management module 82 may also monitor the power levelsfrom the vehicle connected power leads 84 and the voltage level of therechargeable battery 38. The power management module 82 may interactwith the microcontroller 76 to advise the energy status as well asreceive instructions. By monitoring the incoming voltage levels from theconnected leads 84, the power management module 82 may also control theillumination of the LEDs 42 in the taillight 14 used to indicate thebrake and taillight functions. The rechargeable battery 38 may be alithium-ion rechargeable battery. The rechargeable battery 38 may beconnected to the power management module 82 and may receive a measuredcharging current whenever the power management module 82 is activelyreceiving power from the vehicle connected leads 84. By doing so, therechargeable battery 38 is being charged when the running lights are onwhich is typically when the vehicle is being driven during nighttime.The rechargeable battery 38 is also being charged during the daytimebecause daytime driving frequently requires the brake lights.Accordingly whether the vehicle is being driven a long distance which istypically during nighttime or being driven a short distance which istypically during daytime, the rechargeable battery 38 is being rechargedin order to power the GPS tracking system 10. The rechargeable battery38 may also provide voltage and current back the power management modulewhenever the connected leads 84 of the vehicle are not supplyingelectricity due to the trailer 12 being untethered or the tail lights 14are not switched on or there is no braking activity. In this mode, thepower management module 82 will respond to instructions from themicrocontroller 76 and retrieve energy from the battery 38 to feed backto the microcontroller 76 which in turn may selectively provide power tothe other modules to ensure the GPS tracking system 10 continuesoperation in the appropriate mode as determined by the firmware.

The firmware of the GPS tracking system 10 performs a number of discretefunctions. High level logic of the firmware is represented by FIGS.10-12. The start point 100 may represent when the GPS tracking system 10is powered up either by 1) voltage being supplied via the vehicleconnected leads 84 or 2) at least 3.4 volts DC being available from therechargeable battery 38. While the battery 38 may have a nominal voltagevalue of 4.2 volts, the microcontroller 76 may continue to functionuntil the available voltage falls beneath 3.4 volts. At 3.4 volts and inthe absence of power from the vehicle connected leads 84, themicrocontroller 76 may put all the other modules as shown in FIG. 9‘sleep’ or ‘low energy’ mode. The microcontroller 76 may continue tomonitor the available voltage and as it increases, it will commence tobring selected modules into ‘work’ or ‘high energy’ mode. Above 3.4volts, the microcontroller 76 may initiate software routines which willactivate the GSM and GPS modules bringing the GPS tracking system 10into operational mode.

The step labelled ‘Initialize’ 102 may represent the situation where theavailable voltage to the microcontroller 76 is at least 3.4 volts. Atthis level, the microcontroller 76 may initiate its primary routines.The first primary routine 104 may determine whether there is voltageavailable from the vehicle connected leads 84, specifically the leadthat provides voltage to the LEDs used as tail lamp illuminators. Ifthere is sufficient voltage present, the microcontroller 76 may initiateFast Tracking Mode 106. If the previous routine 104 determines that thevehicle voltage is not available, then the microcontroller 76 maymeasure the voltage level of the battery 38 and if the voltage level ofthe battery 38 is above 3.4 volts, the microcontroller 76 may initiateAsset Tracking Mode 108. If the voltage level of the battery 38 is lessthan 3.4 volts, the microcontroller 76 will enter a sleep mode 110 untileither the connected vehicle leads 84 provide voltage or the voltagelevels in the battery 38 exceed 3.4 volts.

When Fast Tracking Mode 106 is initiated 112 (see FIG. 11), the GPSmodule 66 and cellular modem 70 may be powered up and remain powereduntil this mode 106 is exited. While the GPS module 66 is acquiring alocation fix, the microcontroller 76 transmits operational, performance,command and status information to the cellular modem 70 which maytransmit this information called a Pulse report 114 using a UDP (UserDatagram Protocol) to the back-end servers. When the GPS module 66 hasacquired its location fix, the cellular modem 70 may transmit thelocation information called a location report 116 using the UDP to theback-end servers. The microcontroller 76 may also set the configurablefrequency of the reports 114, 116 in Fast Tracking Mode 112 and enters atime loop 118 to wait until the next reporting event. The PowerManagement Module 82 may then be instructed to check the voltage levelavailable from the vehicle connected leads 84 and transmits the valueback to the microcontroller 76. If the microcontroller 76 determinesthat there is no power available from the vehicle connected leads 84,the microcontroller may terminate Fast Tracking Mode 106 and return tothe first level startup routine 120.

For Asset Tracking Mode 108, the routine first checks 122 for voltage onthe vehicle connected leads 84 and if present, this mode 108 isterminated by the microcontroller 76 and the Fast Tracking Mode 106 maybe initiated 124 instead. The microcontroller 76 may use an internaltimer to determine when to power up the GPS module 66 of the GPStracking system 10. Also, while the timer is counting down, if themotion sensor module 78 detects motion 126, the microcontroller 76 maybypass the timer and power up 128 the GPS module 66 immediately. The GPSmodule 66 may have three modes; hot start, warm start and cold start.The hot start is when the GPS module 66 remembers its last calculatedposition and the satellites in view, the almanac used (information aboutall the satellites in the constellation), and the UTC Time. In thisinstance, the GPS module 66 makes an attempt to lock 130 onto the samesatellites and calculate a new position based upon the previousinformation. This is the quickest GPS lock but it only works if the GPSmodule 66 is generally in the same location as when the GPS module 66was last turned off. The warm start is when the GPS module 66 remembersits last calculated position, almanac used, and UTC Time, but not whichsatellites were in view. The GPS module 66 may then perform a reset andattempt to obtain the satellite signals and calculate a new position. Ifthere is a significant change in distance 132, then the location report134 and the pulse report 136 are transmitted to the server over thecellular modem. The receiver may have a general idea of which satellitesto look for because it knows its last position and the almanac datahelps identify which satellites are visible in the sky. This takeslonger than a hot start but not as long as a cold start. The cold startis when the GPS module 66 dumps all the information, attempts to locatesatellites and then calculates a GPS lock. This takes the longestbecause there is no known information as a significant period of timehas passed since the last GPS session and any stored data would beworthless as the satellites used for a location last time would havecontinued in their orbits and passed out of range. If the GPS module 66cannot fix a location 138 within the time period allocated by themicrocontroller 76, only the Pulse report 136 is sent otherwise the newlocation is compared to the last stored location to determine whether areal location change has occurred 132. If no change is noted, theroutine will end 140 otherwise if it is determined that a significantlocation change has occurred, the cellular modem will transmit the newlyacquired location information using UDP to the back end servers. ThePulse report 136 is also sent to the back end servers and uponsuccessful completion of the transmission, the microcontroller willinitiate the timer and put the other modules into sleep mode 142 toconserver battery power.

The taillight 14 is shown and described as being a circularconfiguration. However, other configurations are also contemplatingincluding but not limited to oval, triangular, rectangular orcombinations thereof.

The above description is given by way of example, and not limitation.Given the above disclosure, one skilled in the art could devisevariations that are within the scope and spirit of the inventiondisclosed herein. Further, the various features of the embodimentsdisclosed herein can be used alone, or in varying combinations with eachother and are not intended to be limited to the specific combinationdescribed herein. Thus, the scope of the claims is not to be limited bythe illustrated embodiments.

What is claimed is:
 1. A GPS tracking system for a truck trailer, thesystem comprising: a semitransparent red lamp cover sized and configuredto fit a rubber mounting grommet or a metallic or rigid mounting ring ofan incandescent rear brake and turn light; a LED PCBA fabricated from amaterial that is transparent to radio frequency electromagnetic waves,the LED PCBA disposed behind the semitransparent red lamp cover; LEDsdisposed immediately adjacent to the lamp cover on the LED PCBA so thatlight from the LEDs is transmitted through the lamp cover and projects ared light when the LEDs emit light; Electrical-conductive tracks formedon the LED PCBA for connecting the LEDs to power; a GPS tracker PCBA,which has a GPS antenna mounted on the top layer, wherein the LEDs andthe electrical-conductive tracks on the LED PCBA do not overlap or donot significantly overlap with the GPS antenna reception area so as toguarantee a good reception of the GPS signals; LEDs are directlyconnected to power so that the light function can work normally even ifthe GPS tracking system has malfunctioned; a 3 pin connector inelectrical communication with the recharging circuit and connectable toa corresponding 3 pin connector of the trailer, a first pin electricallyconnectable to a tail light pin and a second pin connectable to a brakelight of the tail light pin so that the rechargeable battery isrecharged when a taillight is turned on or when the user is braking. 2.The system of claim 1 wherein a material of the LED PCBA is plastic,polyester or FR-4 epoxy glass.
 3. The system of claim 1 wherein the LEDsand the electrical-conductive tracks overlap the GPS antenna less than50 percent of a surface area of the GPS antenna.
 4. The system of claim1 wherein the LEDs and the electrical-conductive tracks overlap the GPSantenna less than 5 percent of a surface area of the GPS antenna.
 5. Thesystem of claim 1 wherein the LEDs and the electrical-conductive tracksdo not overlap the GPS antenna.
 6. A taillight for a truck trailer withan integrated GPS tracking system self-containable within a taillightsocket of the truck trailer, the taillight comprising: a semitransparentred lamp cover sized and configured to fit a rubber mounting grommet ora metallic or rigid mounting ring of an incandescent rear brake and turnlight; a light emitting diode (LED) disposed immediately adjacent to thelamp cover on a LED PCBA so that light from the LEDs is transmittedthrough the lamp cover and projects a red light when the LEDs emitlight; a the LEDs are directly connected to power so the light functioncan work independently with the GPS tracking function; a 3 pin connectorin electrical communication with the recharging circuit and connectableto a corresponding 3 pin connector of the tractor, a first pinelectrically connectable to a tail light pin and a second pinconnectable to a brake light of the tail light pin so that therechargeable battery is recharged when a taillight is turned on or whenthe user is braking; wherein the taillight and the GPS tracking systemincluded fits within an existing taillight socket for an incandescentlight taillight.
 7. A trailer for a truck, the trailer comprising: aplurality of wheels and a platform with the plurality of wheels attachedto the platform; passenger side and driver side rear light cavities;first and second rubber grommets or metallic or rigid mounting ringsdisposed within the passenger side and driver side rear light cavities;a covert GPS tracking system mounted to either of the passenger side ordriver side rear light cavities via the first or second rubber grommetsor metallic or rigid mounting rings, the covert GPS tracking systemincluding: a semitransparent red lamp cover sized and configured to fita rubber mounting grommet or a metallic or rigid mounting ring of anincandescent rear brake and turn light; LEDs disposed immediatelyadjacent to the lamp cover on a LED PCBA so that light form the LEDs istransmitted through the lamp cover and projects a red light when theLEDs emit light; the LEDs are directly connected to power so the lightfunction can work independently with the GPS tracking function; a 3 pinconnector in electrical communication with the recharging circuit andconnectable to a corresponding 3 pin connector of the trailer, a firstpin electrically connectable to a tail light pin and a second pinconnectable to a brake light of the tail light pin so that therechargeable battery is recharged when a taillight is turned on or whenthe user is braking; a rear tail and brake light mounted to other one ofthe passenger side or driver side rear light cavities via the other oneof the first or second rubber grommets or a metallic or rigid mountingring.
 8. The trailer of claim 7 wherein the rear tail and brake lighthas an identical configuration compared to the covert GPS trackingsystem mounted on the other side of the trailer.